Plush Toy with Two Non-adjustable Accessory Bands Method of Use and Purpose

ABSTRACT

A method of allowing a user to maintain a hands-free secure hold of a plush toy, the plush toy with a device feature that allow a user to completely inert a hand or arm into a vertical band permanently attached to the plush toy that has a defined space between the plush toy and the band sufficient to allow a hand or arm or go through the define space. Device features comprised by two posterior, non-adjustable accessory bands; one vertical and one horizontal. The bands are securely and permanently attached and constructed with identical or non-identical plush material. The horizontal accessory band is placed on the posterior of the plush toy above the vertical accessory band. The horizontal accessory band is configured with separation space between the accessory band and posterior surface of the plush toy to allow hanging the plush toy to dry or display.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a stuffed plush toy, method of use and purpose. More specifically, a stuffed plush toy having two non-adjustable accessory bands securely and permanently attached to the posterior of the stuffed plush toy; a vertical and horizontal band.

BACKGROUND

Plush toys such as children's teddy bears and other stuffed plush toys generally are held using one hand or arm resulting in restricted use of that arm and hand and are easy to drop, lose or leave behind.

Scientific studies have shown that a stuffed plush animal is more than just a toy. Many children start their first relationship playing with a stuffed plush teddy bear or a stuffed plush animal. For many children a stuffed plush teddy bear or another stuffed plush animal is their first best friend. Having a stuffed plush animal includes; encourages compassion, is self-soothing, helps children learn empathy and can help relieve stress.

Losing or leaving a stuffed plush toy behind can be very traumatic for a small child. The accessory band addition to the stuffed plush animal helps prevent loss of the stuffed plush animal and reduces likelihood of trauma to the child after loss of the stuffed animal.

Heretofore there has not been an available hands-free attachment for a stuffed plush toy with the advantages and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of allowing a user to maintain a hands-free secure hold of a plush toy, the plush toy with a device feature that allow a user to completely inert a hand or arm into a vertical band permanently attached to the plush toy. Device features comprised by two posterior, non-adjustable accessory bands; one vertical and one horizontal. The bands are securely and permanently attached and constructed with identical or non-identical plush material. The horizontal accessory band is placed on the posterior of the plush toy above the vertical accessory band. The vertical accessory band is configured for separation space and length between the vertical accessory band and the posterior surface of the toy to allow complete insertion of the hand and or arm of the user between the band and the posterior surface of the plush toy. The horizontal accessory band is configured with separation space between the accessory band and posterior surface of the plush toy to allow hanging the plush toy to dry or display. The horizontal accessory band appendage is 2.25 to 3.0 inches long and the vertical accessory band appendage is 3.25 to 3.5 inches long.

The purpose and configuration of the vertical accessory band appendage is to receive the hand and arm of the user or holder of the plush toy to allow and maintain hand free, secure hold of the plush toy. The plush toy horizontal accessory band appendage is configured to allow the plush toy to be hung for display or to dry after being washed.

PRIOR ART

There is a previous patent with attachments to plush toys. Pietrafesa, 2013/002224A1 has a teddy bear plush toy with belts or straps attached to the arms, legs and head of the teddy bear. These belts or straps are made to hold fingers that are used to manipulate the teddy bear as a hand puppet. The belts or strap are only held by one end, not two as in this patent, and there isn't a vertical strap or band capable of allowing a hand or arm to go through it.

While no other vertical band to allow a plush toy to held with hands-free, Jabbour 2016/0228780 discloses a plush toy with a vertical opening that opens so an interated bag can be placed inside the plush toy. Unlike our method of allowing hand free operation via a band that allows a hand or arm to be placed through the band of this invention. Jabbour doesn't use the term band, but rather strap, and the straps apply to placing the integrated on the person's back, with the plush toy in front of the integrated bag.

A patent that discuses using vertical straps with toys, and broadly includes plush toys is Leahy U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,537. In this patent straps are used on connect parts of the toys together and they do allow a user's hand or arm to go through any of the straps as a method of holding the toy hands-free.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention from a rear angle.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a top plan thereof.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 7 is another rear elevation view thereof, showing a plush surface texture.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view thereof, showing a typical environment of being held by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred Embodiments Plush Toy

As shown in FIG. 1-8 the present invention is a plush toy 2 having a body 4, a head 6, and a neck portion 8 between the body and the head. The toy as shown may have legs, arms, ears or other protruding limbs or parts, but they are not necessary in an embodiment of the present invention.

A first band 10, shown having a horizontal orientation and is placed about the neck 8 of the toy 2, between the head 6 and the body 5. The band has a first space 12 between the strap 10 and surface of the neck 8. This band comprising a first end 20 and a second end 22, wherein said first end and said second end of said first non-adjustable band are affixed to said rear face and define said first space 12 between said first end and said second end. This band 10 can be used to hang the toy 2 from a suitable hanging device for sale or display or even to dry after cleaning.

Similarly, a second band 14 shown as having a vertical orientation and is place on the surface of the back side of the body 4. This band 14 has a second space 16 between the band 14 and the surface of the body 4, where the user can insert their hand 18. The second non-adjustable band comprising a first end 24 near the neck and a second end 26 further down the back, wherein said first end and second end of said second non-adjustable band are affixed to said rear face and define said second space 16 between said first end and said second end

The two bands, 10 and 14, allow the user to interact with toy in multiple ways, and makes it easier for someone with smaller hands or disabilities to easily hold the toy 2 while carrying it with him/her.

It should be noted that the plush toy 2 could have any feasible shape, and may not require a head portion, and body portion. In a general sense the plush toy 2 should have a body 4 and the two differing bands, 10 and 14 can be used for hanging the plush toy 2

In an embodiment, for example, a simple plush toy in a rounded or spherical shape could include a front having a face or artwork of some kind displayed and, and a back where the two bands 10 and 14 are affixed.

Understand that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects. 

I claim:
 1. A method of allowing a user to maintain a secure hold of a plush toy comprising: use of a vertical accessary band, 3.25 to 3.50 inches in length, with both ends permanently attached; the vertical accessory band configured for a vertical band separation space between the vertical accessory band and the posterior of the plush toy sufficiently large to allow complete insertion of the hand and or arm of the user between the band and the posterior surface of the plush toy;
 2. A plush toy comprising: a body having a front face and a rear face; a horizontal band permanently affixed at both the first end and the second end in a horizontal orientation to the rear face, the horizontal band configured to define a space between the horizontal band and the rear face sufficiently large to go over a hook; a vertical band, place below the horizontal band, permanently affixed at both the first end and the second end in a vertical orientation to the rear face, the vertical band configure to define a space between the vertical band and the rear face sufficiently large to allow complete insertion of the hand and or arm of the user between the rear face of the plush toy and the vertical band;
 3. The plush toy of claim 2, further comprising: a body comprising a head placed atop a torso; a neck portion located between the torso and the head; a first band located about the neck portion; and a second strap located on a rear face of the torso.
 4. The plush toy of claim 2, wherein said front face comprises a design.
 5. The plush toy of claim 4, wherein said design comprises a character's face.
 6. The plush toy of claim 1, wherein said first end of said second non-adjustable strap is affixed to said rear face at a location directly beneath said bottom edge of said first non-adjustable strap. 